The Tata Nano is gearing up to introduce a car known as Tata MiniCat that will run on compressed air. According to the reports, Tata Motors is planning to manufacture the world’s first commercial air-powered vehicle.
The car uses compressed air to push the engine’s pistons. The company is planning to introduce 6000 zero-emissions Air Cars on the Indian roads. The MiniCat which is expected to cost around Rs. 3,50,000 ($ 8,177), would have a range of 300 km and each refill would cost around Rs. 100 ($2.0). To operate the car, the user instead of keys would use an access card. According to the designers, the car’s mileage would be double the mileage on an electric car (an electric vehicle gives a mileage of 200 to 300 km or 10 hours of driving) and its users in India would spend under Rs. 50 for each 100 Km. The car’s top speed is expected to be 105 Kmph.
The car will be refilled at adapted petrol stations to administer compressed air. As an alternate, the car will also carry a small compressor which can be connected to the mains to refill the tank.